Customs duties will be imposed on the import of milk and milk products, meat and cement from Ukraine until the end of this year. Moldova also set import quotas on these products within the free trade regime with the CIS states, IPN reports, quoting a Cabinet decision.

The move is aimed at protecting the home market from massive imports of dairy products from Ukraine. According to the Ministry of Economy, the volume of milk products imported from Ukraine last year rose considerably. Thus, the imports of sour cream, yogurt and kefir increased 1.5 times, of cheese – by 33%, while of sausages and similar products 14 times.

The customs duties on milk and milk products, meat and cement imported from Ukraine will be of 10-15%.

The national dairy producers repeatedly asked taking temporary measures to protect the domestic market from these products, arguing they have to work in conditions of disloyal competition given that the Ukrainian milk and meat products are sold at lower prices because the fodder in the neighboring country is cheaper.

Prime Minister Pavel Filip warned the responsible ministries to monitor the situation and make sure that these measures do not lead to a rise in the prices of milk and meat products for consumers.